Erling Olson Obituary (1937 - 2021)

Erling Loren Olson, 83, Bismarck, North Dakota, passed away June 9, 2021, at Sanford, Bismarck. Memorial Services will be held at 1:00 pm, Tuesday, June 15, 2021, at Faith Lutheran Church, Bismarck with Rev. Derek Harkins officiating. Family and friends will gather from one hour prior to the service at the church. Private inurnment will be at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery. Erling was born August 9, 1937, at Maddock, North Dakota, to Earl and Laura (Lageson) Olson. He grew up in the former Goa post office, south of Esmond, ND. He attended the Rich Valley two story country grade school. He then attended the Benson County Agricultural and Training School in Maddock, ND, graduating in 1955. After eight weeks of summer school at Minot State Teacher College he taught in a country school northeast of Sheyenne, ND. While teaching in rural schools, junior high and high schools, he also coached high school basketball and track, was a high school paper advisor and a senior class play director. Erling spent time in the army as a heavy equipment operator. Following army service, Erling went into sales as the owner of Goa Enterprises, selling ideas, products and services. In 1964 Erling and Ruth Ann Martinson were married in Towner, ND. They lived in Grand Forks and Maddock, ND, where they raised two sons, Larry and Gary. While in Maddock, Erling was president of Mollorgutten Sons of Norway lodge, the Uffda Square Dance Club, the Lake Region Life Underwriters Association, an ambulance driver/EMT, Zion Lutheran Brethren Church Treasurer and Sunday school teacher, and a member of the State Insurance Commissioner's Health Insurance Advisory Council. In 1984 Erling was honored with membership in "Who's Who in North Dakota". In 1989 they moved to Bismarck, ND, where Erling worked for the ND State Child Support Enforcement Agency, the Pinkerton Agency and later the Bismarck Tribune. While in Bismarck, Erling was a member and officer at Grace Lutheran Brethren Church, a member of Faith Lutheran Church, President of the Sverdrup Sons of Norway lodge, a member of the Sverdrup singers and folk dancers, was the Sons of Norway zone director for western North Dakota, a vice president of the North Dakota State Genealogical Society, a member of the Bismarck Lions Club, the Bismarck American Legion, the Germans from Russia Club, the Bismarck Belles and Beaux square Dance Club, the Harvey Town and Country Square Dance Club, and the Swedish Three Crowns society. Avidly interested in his heritage, he was a member of Tronderlad, Valdres Samband, and Vestlandet Norwegian lags. Erling's ancestry has been traced back to King Harold Harfagre in Norway. He is survived by his wife, Ruth Olson, Bismarck; and two sons, Larry Olson, Fargo, and Gary Olson, Atlanta, Georgia; brother-in-law, Marvin (Barbara) Martinson; niece, Heidi Lesinski; nephews, Jarl and Jared Martinson; and numerous cousins. Erling was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Larry Wayne Olson; and in-laws, Milton and Ruth Martinson.